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(No Model.)

4.SheetsSheet 1. G. D. PRUDEN. SHEET METAL MOLDING MACHINE. No. 489,498.Patented Jan. 1893- M/wfizesses frwenfor:

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C. D. PR-UDEN. SHEET METAL MOLDING MACHINE.

No. 489,498. Patented Jan. 10, 1893.

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(No Model'.)

C.D. PRUDEN. SHEET- METAL MOLDING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 10, 1893.

HE mums PETERS co, FNOTO-UTHO.. wgsmncTDN o c O. D.-PRUDEN. SHEET METALMOLDING MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 10, 1893.

M? & l 7% Z '30 shaping rolls.

f INITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE D. PRUDEN, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOPHILIP A DESLAURIERS, OF SAME PLACE.

SHEET-METAL-MOLDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 489,498, dated January10, 1893.

Application filed January 5, 1892. Serial No. 417,078. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I,'CLARENCE D. PRUDEN, of St. Paul,-Ramsey county,Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Sheet- Metal-Moldin gMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for the forming ofsheet metal into straight moldings or similar forms, especially to forarchitectural purposes; and consists in providing a machine with gradedseries of male and female rolls, their lines of longitudinal contourbeing of equal length, through which the sheet is successively passed toreceive gradual and progressive shaping. Guide rolls are arrangedintermediate of said shaping rolls for directing the course of the sheetfrom one pair of shaping rolls to the next. The sheet is further held inproper position and guided through the machine by means of a clampsecured to the rear end of the'shect, and sliding in a guidelongitudinally of the bed of the machine, which prevents its lateraldisplacement. In addition to the series of horizontal shaping rolls, Ialso provide a pair of duplicate rolls, having vertical shafts andathird roll having a horizontal shaft adjacent to the other rolls,through which the sheet may be carried from the last Supported in thespace between these three rolls is a shaping point, around which pointand between the three I rolls is passed the partially formed sheet, theduplicate rolls thus giving an under-cut to the sheet; and the shapingpoint, which in form corresponds to the curve or angles of the threerolls, serves to keep the fold or bend of the sheet pressed against therolls, and thus causes it to receive its accurate shape from the rolls.For some work a modified form of third roll can be used with acircumferential rib, which takes the place of a shaping point.

My invention further consists in making the shaping rolls of sections orwashers, which can be arranged in any desired relation and clampedtogether,whereby almost any desired design of molding can be securedwith a limited number of sections.

My invention further consists in the construction and combinationhereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Intheaccompanyingdrawings,formingpart of this specification; Figure 1 isa plan view of my improved machine shown with two sets of shaping rolls,one pair of upper rolls being removed to show the form of the underrolls;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front end elevation showing asin- 6o gle triple set offinishing or under-cut rolls;

Fig. l is a front, end elevation showing a modified form of shapingrolls, the duplicate under cut rolls being removed; Fig. 5 is asectional detail of a part of the extension or table at the rear end ofthe machine, showing the traveling clamp and the tripping bar for thesame; Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of the supporting frame andconnections for one of the undercut roll shafts; Fig. 7 is a sectionaldetail of the undercut rolls, showing the shaping point and sheetbetween the same; Fig. 8 is a detail of a shaping point adapted to beused in connection with the undercut rolls shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 7;Fig. 9 is a detail of a modified form of a set of undercut rolls, thethird roll being provided withacircumferential rib which takes the placeof the shaping point; Fig. 10 is a detail of the pair of shaping rollsby which the sheet is formed to pass between the undercut rolls shown inFigs. 2 and 3, or the modified form shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is acentral, longitudinal section of the roll shown in Fig. 10, also showingthe sheet of metal between them; Fig. 12 is a detail of a modified formof triple or under cut rolls, designed to form a sheet metal tube, theshaping point being shown in front elevation between the rolls; Fig. 13is a detail rear elevation of the shaping point; Fig. 14 is a 0 detailside elevation of the same Fig. 15 is a detail front end elevation of around shaping point, provided with anti friction rolls; Fig.

16 is a detail side elevation of the same; Fig.

17 is a detail of asectional shapingroll shown 5 in position clamped onits shaft; Fig. 18 is a detail of the same with the sections removedfrom the shaft, and separated from each other; Fig. 19 is a detail ofanother form of sectional roll; Fig. 20 a detail of the same with thesec- I00 tions removed from the shaft and separated; Fig. 21 shows athird form of sectional roll,

and Fig. 22 the same with the sections re moved from the shaft andseparated; Fig. 23 is a detail of the sectional roll shaft showing thesleeve for holding the roll sections, and the clamping nuts therefor;Figs. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 are central, longitudinal sectionalviews of a series of rolls for shaping a sheet of metal into a tube, thesheet of metal being indicated in each case byaheavy black line betweenthe meeting faces of the rolls, illustrating the successive steps in theforming of the sheet as itpasses through the series in the order oftheir number; Fig. 29 shows the pair of rolls immediately preceding theundercut rolls, illustrating the mannerin which the edges of the sheetare brought together so that their hems will interlock, the undercutrolls closing and compressing the lock, and Fig. 30 is a perspectiveview of a part of the sheet metal tube as formed by the rolls shown inFigs. 12 and 29.

In the drawings, A represents the bed of the machine having suitablesupports, and

provided with standards Band C on each side of the bed. The transversehorizontal shafts 2 are journaled in fixed bearings in these standards,and are provided with graded series of shaping rolls 4, the axial lengthof which successively lessens as the size of the elevations anddepressions on the surface in creases, the lines of longitudinal contourbeing equal in length.

Sliding in the guides 6 of the standards, are the bearing blocks 8, inwhich are journaled the similar horizontal transverse shafts 10, whichare provided with other series of rolls 12, in form the complement orcounterpart of the lower rolls. The shaping rolls are secured upon theshafts by means of feathers arranged in longitudinal grooves 14 in theshafts. By loosening the standards 0 upon the bed and sliding them backaway from the shafts, the rolls can be removed from the shafts andothers substituted for doing different classes of work. The verticalposition of the shafts 10 above the shafts 2, is adjusted by means ofthe set screws 16 threaded into the cross bars or tops 18 of thestandards. The shafts 10 are connected to the shafts 2 so as to bedriven from them, by means of the expanding gears 20 of ordinaryconstruction.

Power is applied to drive the shafts 2 in any suitable manner, as bymeans of the pulley 22 mounted upon the shaft 24 journaled in the frameof the machine, and provided with the bevel pinion 26 meshing with thebevel pinion 28 upon the vertical shaft 30. The shaft 30 is providedwith a bevel pinion 32, meshing with the bevel pinion 34 mounted on theadjacent shaft 2. The shafts 2 are also provided with spur gears 36which mesh with the intermediate transmitting gears 38 mounted upon theshafts 40, by means of Which power is transmitted from the pulley 22 toall of the shafts 2. The shafts 2 being as before stated are connectedto the shafts 10 by the expanding gears 20. Upon the shaft 24 areslidably mounted the bevel pinions 42 and 44, which are provided withrearwardly projectting sleeves 46, on which are mounted the frame pieces48 and 50, provided with bearings 52 to receive the vertical shafts 54and 56, having pinions 58 and 60 meshing respectively with the pinions42 and 44.

The position of the frame pieces is adjusted by means of the screws 62and 64 connected to the frame, each threaded through one of the framepieces, and operated by means of a wrench 65 applied to the squared endof the screw. The vertical shafts 54 and 56 carry similar under cutrolls 66, thehorizoutal shaft 10 immediately above the same being fittedwith a shaping roll 68 adapted to fit partly between the rolls 66, asshown in Fig.3, so as to hold the sheet in place while receiving theunder out from the rolls 66, as hereinafter described. As many sets ofthe under out rolls may be used as required for the work of the machine,Fig. 1 showing two sets of shaping rolls, and two sets of under cutrolls, while Fig. 3 shows a single set of under cut rolls. When theunder cut rolls are not needed for the work in progress, the shafts 54and 56 are removed from the bearings 52 and other rolls substituted forthem, as for example as shown in Fig. 4, where a modified form ofshaping rolls 70 and 72 are shown as thefinishing rolls of the machine.The sheet of metal in passing through the machine receives deeper anddeeper impressions with each pair of rolls, and where an under cut orpartially tubular conformation is required, the sheet is carried fromthe last pair of shaping rolls, as for example, those shown in Figs. 10and 11, to the under cut rolls shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 7, the sidesbeing closed in by the rolls 66, giving a partially cylindrical ortubular finish.

In order to hold the sheet in contact with the rolls 66 and 68, ashaping point74 having a stem 76 is adj ustably secured by means of ascrew 78 to the arm 80, which in turn is secured upon the frame of themachine, as shown in Fig. 2, and arranged to stand between the rolls 66and 68, its form being adapted to the contour of the three rolls withspace for the sheet to pass between. The sheet is thus held in closecontact with the rolls and receives a uniform and proper curvature. Insome classes of work, the point may be dispensed with, and a modifiedform of roll 82 (see Fig. 9) is substituted for the roll 68. The roll 82has a rounded circumferential rib 84 which stands between the rolls 66serving the purpose, and taking the place of, the point 74.

In Figs. 15 and 16 is shown a modified form of point 86 provided withanti friction rolls 88, having the proper curvature, which diminish thefriction upon the sheet when passing through the machine.

In some classes of work a complete tube with ornamental finish isdesired in which case a triple set of rolls 90 and 92 is provided (seeIIO Fig. 12) between which is arranged a shaping point 93, (see alsoFigs. 13 and 14) which'is of such shape as to conform to the rolls, andis provided with suitably shaped anti friction rolls 94, in mannersimilar to those upon the point 86. The point is also preferablyprovided with a roll 96 having a circumferential groove 98, adapted toreceive the folds or hems of the edges of the sheet and cause them tointerlock so that the joint or seam maybe smooth surfaced on the outerside, but project slightly within the tube when finished (see Fig.

The series of rolls preceding the triple set 90 and 92 are shown inFigs. 24 and 28 inclusive, the sheet being indicated by the.

heavy line between the meeting surfaces of the rolls. In passing throughthese the sheet receives the proper form, and the edges are turned asindicated so as to form the hems 100 and 102, which are brought inposition when passing through the final set of rolls, (see Fig. 29,) soas to be interlocked and to be pressed in finished form as shown in Fig.30.

While solid rolls may be used for this work, I prefer to use in thepreliminary forming of the sheet where nicety of finish and accuracy ofcurve or angle are not essential, sectional rolls as shown in Figs.17,18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 in which the rolls are made up of a series ofsections or washers of varying diameter, either with edges curved orbeveled, as indicated in Figs. 17 and 20, or with their faces at rightangles with their sides, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22. As will be seen inthese illustrative figures, with one set of sections an indefinitenumber of styles or shapes of rolls may be built up, so as to increasein great degree the capacity of the machine without unnecessarymultiplication of parts. When sectional rolls of the class described areapplied, I prefer to secure them in place upon a sleeve 105 by means ofnuts 104 threaded upon the sleeves, abutting against the ends of theroll and firmly binding the parts together. The sleeve is thenadjustably secured in place upon the shaft, by means of feathers 107inserted in the grooves 106 in the shaft, or in any other suitablemanner.

The rear end of the bed or frame of the machine, is provided with anextension or table 108, upon which the sheet is laid and supported to becarried through the machine between the rolls. In order to guide thesheet properly into the machine, I provide a clamp 110 secured-to ablock 112, which slides in the groove 114 of the table. This clamp canbe closed upon the rear end of the sheet by throwing the handle 116 upinto the dotted line position. The front end of the sheet then beingplaced between the rolls, is carried forward, drawing the clamp with it,which being held by the guide prevents lateral displacement of thesheet. When the clamp reaches the cross bar 118 supported on standards120 at each side of the table, its handle 116 is tripped by the crossbar, andturned downward, when the spring 122 throws the clamp open andreleases the sheet, which passes on through the machine. The clamp canthen be slipped back to the rear end of its groove in readiness toengage the next sheet.

The sheet in passing through the machine, is guided and held in positionby means of the rolls 124 journaled in stan dards 126, adj ustablysecured upon the bed of the machine by means of set screws 128 arrangedin the transverse slot 130. These standards are also fitted withvertical circumferentially grooved rolls 132, which together with theroll 124 are vertically adjusted by means of set screws 134. The body ofthe sheet as it passes from one pair of rolls to the next, is supportedupon the intermediate roll 124, and each edge of the sheet runs in oneof the grooves of the adj acent roll 132, whereby it is accuratelyguided between the next rolls. It will thus be seen that my improvedmachine is adapted to form a blank or plain sheet of metal into anydesired finished form by a single operation, the machine being fittedwith proper forms of shaping roll.

In operation, the selected rolls are placed upon their sleeves or shaftsand firmly secured. The blank sheet of metal is then laid upon the tableat the rear of the bed, and secured in the clamp 110. It is then pushedforward between the first rolls of the series, which engage and give thefirstimpression to the sheet, thence it passes over the roll 124 theedges of the sheet running in the grooves of the guide rolls 132, and soon through the successive rolls. When the clamp reaches the trippingcross rod, its handle is turned down releasing the sheet, the clamp thenbeing slipped back to receive another sheet.- Each pair of rolls of theseries increases the impressions upon the plate, until it passes throughthe last or finishing rolls, whence it is removed from the machine, oris carried between the under-cut or tube forming rolls, as described,where it is formed around the shaping point.

I claim.

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with the seriesof horizontal shaping rolls, of horizontal guide rolls intermediate ofsaid shaping rolls, vertically and laterally adjustable, andcircumferentially grooved vertically arranged and adjustable guide rollsat the ends of said horizontal guide rolls, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, having series of horizontalshaping rolls, of horizontal guide rolls intermediate of said shapin grolls, vertical adjustable bearing supports for said guide rolls andvertical circumferentially grooved guide rolls journaled in saidsupports at each end of said horizontal guide rolls, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination with the series of shaping rolls, of the rollconforming to the contour of the sheet, and the duplicate undercutrolls, the shafts of all said rolls standing in substantially the samevertical plane, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with the seriesof shaping rolls, of a roll conforming to the shape of the sheet asformed by said shaping rolls, and the duplicate under-cut rolls arrangedon vertical shafts in substantially the same vertical plane with theshaft of said other roll,substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with the seriesof shaping rolls, of a guide clamp for the free end of the metal sheet,substantially as described.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with the seriesof shaping rolls, of a guide clamp for thefree end of the metal sheet,and means for automatically releasing said clamp when the sheet shallhave traveled a predetermined distance, substantially as described.

7. In a device of the class described, having a series of shaping rolls,the combination with the bed of the machine, ofa rear extensionthereof,a clamp sliding in a guide in said extension adapted to besecured to the free end of the metal sheet, and means for automaticallydisengaging said clamp from the sheet when it shall have been carried apredetermined distance, substantially as described.

8. The combination with the machine bed and its series of shaping rolls,of a rear end extension to said bed, a longitudinal guide thereon, aclamp slidable in said guide and adapted to engage the free end of ametal sheet and hold it from lateral displacement, and a cross bar abovesaid extension for tripping the handle of said clamp to release thesheet when it shall have traveled a predetermined distance,substantially as described.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with the machinebed, and the series of shaping rolls supported thereon, of an extensionto said bed, a longitudinal guide in said extension, a clamp slidinginsaid guide adapted to engage the free end of the metal sheet and meansfor tripping said clamp when it shall have traveled a predetermineddistance, substantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described, having series of shaping rolls,means for giving an undercut form to the sheetas delivered from saidshaping rolls, comprising in combination a roll conforming to the shapeof said sheet, and the duplicate shaping rolls arranged on shafts atright angles with the shafts of said first roll and in substantially thesame plane, and means for holding the sheet in bearing contact with saidrolls, substantially as described.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of the rollconforming to the shape of the molded sheet, the duplicate shaping rollsarranged on shafts at right angles to that of the other roll and insubstantially the same plane, and a shaping point or guide supported inthe space between the three rolls, in shape conforming to the adjacentsurfaces of said rolls, substantially as described.

12. The combination with the shaping rolls, of the roll in shapeconforming to that of the sheet as delivered from the shaping rolls, theduplicate undercut rolls with their axes in substantially the samevertical plane as that of the first roll, and means for securing therolls upon their respective shafts in adjusted positions, substantiallyas described.

13. The combination with the shaping rolls, of the roll in shapeconforming to that of the molded sheet delivered therefrom, theduplicate undercut rolls adjacent to said first roll and cooperatingtherewith, the axles of all said rolls being in substantially the sameplane, and means for laterally adjusting the position of the shafts ofsaid duplicate rolls, substantially as described.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with the undercut or tube forming shaping rolls, of a shaping point arranged in thespace between said rolls in cross section conforming to the contour ofthe adjacent roll surfaces, substantially as described.

15. The combination with the tube forming rolls, of the shaping pointarranged between the same, provided with exterior antifriction rolls,one of said rolls being provided with a circumferential groove toreceive the lock of the metal sheet, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day ofDecember, 1891.

CLARENCE D. PRUDEN.

In presence of '1. D. MERWIN, A. M. WELcH.

